Stressed and worried... vibes please

[Kate260881]

Well Penny has been lame for the last 3 days so the call to the vet went in this morning. I am pretty sure its her mud fever that is causing it as I'm having such a battle with it and I just can't figure it out as she hardly gets any moisture on her legs at all (only turned out in dry outdoor school at the moment). I'm treating it with Aromaheel everyday which does seem to be helping but I can't figure out the lameness.

Then on top of that when I was up last night she's got what looks like lots of small insect bites or some kind of rash come up all along her shoulder line. And there is one much larger bump which hurts when you prod it. Never seen this before so if anyone has any idea what it could be please let me know. I changed her rug to a softer fleece one last night in case it was anything to do with the rug but she's been in that rug all winter with no side effects. There are lots of canals here (it is Holland after all) and there is one that runs right along the side of the yard so I'm wondering if with the warm weather some evil beasties have hatched. Maybe the only part of her they could get to was the bit around her rug neckline.

Argh, I'm really worried and can't concentrate on work. Sitting staring at my phone waiting for the vet to call back with an appointment.

Sorry for the rant, just needed somewhere horsey to voice my concerns.

 

[AmyMay]

Oooo I know just what you're going through. I'm battling mud fever - and like you, Thumper's legs are not getting muddy or unduly wet. However, ointment from the vet is now starting to clear it up. Sounds like that is going to be your best route as well. MF can be so sore for them - so could be making her lame. Are her limbs swelling??

As for the rash - don't know sorry.

 

[angiebaby]

I always felt that mud fever was a bacterial infection from the inside; mine never get it when on muddy fields!
However when my pony did get it, a friend told me to hot poltice it and wrap up well; leave for 24 hours. Honestly it had just about dissapeared! Never had it since and that was three years ago. Worth having a go?

 

[ladyt25]

Sudocrem worked well for my horseas he suffers from dermatitis on his heels and legs regularly. There are also loads of other creams and aloe vera based products you may find help. Always worth trying a change of cream in my opinion.

If the school is a sand school then this can cause irritation on the horses legs and although you say there is no moisture this can cause problems in itself, it ghink sand can dry out the skin too much. Mine gets very irritated if i have schooled him on a sand school so i have to make sure I remove all the sand afterwards.

My sister used paraffin on her horse when he had sore heels at one stage but he was out in mud - I think it works as a barrier as well as soothing? (not really sure) still, it worked and he's never suffered since.